Unauthorized drone flights are rising sharply in 2026, disrupting aerial firefighting operations and increasing enforcement efforts. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As the unusually severe wildfire season in the western U.S. continues unabated, the number of incidents of drone incursions interrupting aerial firefighting operations continues to rise. According to data … [Read more...] about Drone Incursions at Wildfires Surge as Aircraft Face More Groundings
aerial firefighting
Unauthorized Drones Divert Firefighting Aircraft at California’s Timber Fire
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace continue to cause interference with aerial firefighting operations at the scenes of wildfires across the country. In a recent example of this disturbing trend, unauthorized drone flights prompted aircraft engaged in firefighting at the scene of the Timber Fire in the Big Sur region of … [Read more...] about Unauthorized Drones Divert Firefighting Aircraft at California’s Timber Fire
“If You Fly, We Can’t”: Drone Incursions Still Disrupt Wildfire Response Across the West
Five unauthorized drone flights over Oregon’s Wrights Spring Fire grounded firefighting aircraft, highlighting a growing safety problem during wildfire operations. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As massive wildfires continue to ravage vast areas of the West and northwestern U.S., the problem of unauthorized drones flying in disaster areas continues to hamper aerial … [Read more...] about “If You Fly, We Can’t”: Drone Incursions Still Disrupt Wildfire Response Across the West
Inside the Counter-UAS Response to Drone Flights Over Spokane Wildfires
FBI and local officials describe how a multi-agency task force detected dozens of unauthorized drones, located pilots and worked to keep firefighting aircraft flying by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Federal and local officials are decrying the overflights of drones over a series of wildfires in eastern Washington state, which caused a temporary grounding of … [Read more...] about Inside the Counter-UAS Response to Drone Flights Over Spokane Wildfires
Proposed Bill Calls For FAA To Study Drone Incursions During Wildfires
The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act (H.R. 6618) would require the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a comprehensive study examining how unauthorized drone operations interfere with wildfire firefighting operations. Introduced in the House on December 11, 2025, by Representative Janelle Bynum with bipartisan cosponsorship from Representatives Eli Crane, Joe Neguse, … [Read more...] about Proposed Bill Calls For FAA To Study Drone Incursions During Wildfires
